Roquefort Therapeutics PLC (LSE:ROQ, OTCQB:ROQAF)'s chief executive, Ajan Reginald, hailed the potential of the company’s latest drug development programme.
Its fifth family of drug candidates is focused on a technology called messenger RNA (mRNA), a cutting-edge anti-cancer approach pioneered by leading biotech companies Moderna and BioNTech.
mRNA is a molecule that plays a crucial role in translating the genetic information stored in DNA into the production of proteins.
In an interview with Proactive, Reginald said the aim of the latest programme, focusing on the company's MDK, or Midkine target, followed the company’s blueprint of going after hard-to-treat cancers.
"Our focus is on developing cutting-edge medicines using innovative new approaches and targets,” he explained.
“This new mRNA platform allows us to do just that, fitting us very well from a strategic perspective, a patient focus, and a commercial perspective.”
Reginald added that the new mRNA platform fitted extremely well with the company's existing oligo initiative, which is already in development at ‘one of the leading cancer research institutions’.
Having multiple shots on goal is essential for an early innovation company like Roquefort Therapeutics, and delivering value for shareholders and stakeholders is a top priority,” he added.
"We're able to say, in our experience, this is the best way to kill this type of cancer. And that means I think that we can progress programs much more quickly and reach that value inflexion point where we're looking for partners or potential acquirers," Reginald told Proactive.